Carter travelled in his capacity as a private citizen, senior administration officials told CNN earlier. They added Carter had contacted the administration of President Barack Obama about the mission.

One of the senior officials said Carter "will not be carrying any message on behalf of the United States government."

Thaleia Schlesinger, a spokesman for Gomes' family, offered no comment on Carter's trip to North Korea.

"We are grateful to the government of North Korea for the medical care Aijalon Mahli Gomes has received," she said. "We are requesting the government of North Korea grant him amnesty and allow him to return home on humanitarian grounds."

KCNA reported in July that Gomes had tried to commit suicide and was hospitalized.

Two American journalists -- Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who had crossed the border into North Korea in March 2009 and were arrested and sentenced to 12 years hard labor -- were released in August after an intervention by former U.S. President Bill Clinton.